Europe Auto Relations Get Testy

Car Makers' Friction With Workers
Rises Over Plans to Relocate Jobs

Several auto makers in Western Europe are entering a phase of tense relations with their work forces as companies plan to cut jobs in the region while speeding up investment in faster-growing markets.

The increased tensions could complicate, but aren't likely to stop, efforts by Western auto makers to cut costs and move jobs to lower-wage areas amid intense competition from auto makers based in Asia.